Overview
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939:2017 - Systems and software engineering - Measurement process - defines a common, tailorable framework for measurement in systems and software engineering. Aligned with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and ISO/IEC 12207, the standard describes a measurement process model and related terminology that help organizations and projects specify what measurement information is required, how to create and apply measures and analysis results, and how to validate those results. The standard is flexible and adaptable; it does not prescribe specific metrics, methods or tools but shows how to identify, define, select, apply and improve measures.
Key topics and requirements
- Measurement process model and activities: Establish and sustain measurement commitment; prepare for measurement; perform measurement; evaluate measurement.
- Measurement information model (Annex A): Concepts such as entity, attribute, base measures, derived measures, indicators and measurable concepts to structure metrics and indicators.
- Planning and records: Guidance on measurement planning elements, information items and records (Annexes B, F, G).
- Evaluation criteria: Example criteria for selecting measures, evaluating information products and assessing process performance (Annexes C–E).
- Conformance and tailoring: Rules for intended usage, full and tailored conformance to outcomes and tasks.
- Definitions and terminology: Standardized measurement vocabulary for consistent interpretation across projects and organizations.
Practical applications
- Implementing an organizational or project-level measurement program for software development, systems engineering, integration and maintenance.
- Supporting project management decisions: progress tracking, schedule and cost assessment, feasibility analysis.
- Enabling quality assurance and process capability assessment through structured indicators and measures.
- Defining measurable acceptance criteria and metrics in supplier–acquirer contracts or procurement.
- Providing a basis for continuous improvement: selecting measures that drive actionable insights rather than data accumulation.
Who uses this standard
- Project managers, measurement program managers and process-improvement teams.
- Quality assurance, metrics engineers, systems and software engineers.
- Acquirers, suppliers and third-party assessors evaluating measurement processes and results.
- Organizations implementing lifecycle governance aligned with ISO/IEC/IEEE systems and software standards.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (Systems life cycle processes)
- ISO/IEC/12207 (Software life cycle processes)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15289 (Life cycle documentation - referenced for information item content)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939:2017 is essential for organizations that want a repeatable, auditable measurement framework for systems and software engineering without being locked into specific metrics or tools. Keywords: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939:2017, measurement process, software measurement, systems engineering measurement, measurement information model, metrics, indicators, measurement planning.